petcare

"OPEN WIDE" HUGH???

Have you ever wondered how it would feel to NEVER, I mean NEVER have your teeth cleaned or for that matter have them brushed? With every passing year those puppy or kitten pearly whites, without proper care, begin to show signs of wear and tear. Funny thing is: As a pet owner we JUST DON'T GET IT, our beloved pets teeth are not unlike our own, we JUST don't get it. I have seen pets teeth that are so bad that you can smell their breath from across the room so surely their owner can smell it too. It costs to much to have their dentals, well...it costs to have your dentals done and when your tooth is absesed or cracked or rotten can you even remember how painful that was? I am sure many of your DVM's have mentioned to you that your beloved pet needs a dental, did you ignore the warning?

Dental care for your pet is more important than ever thought before, dental bacteria can travel through the bloodstream to infect vital organs like the heart, liver and kidneys. If your pet would happen to get a major disease, you may never even imagine that dental bacteria may easily have been the cause.

Dental care for your best friend is probably one of the most important things you can do to extend your friends life. You, yourself take a look at your pets teeth: Are the teeth white and clear? Are they covered with a brown or gray looking matter? How about the gums? Are any parts red or swollen? Any loose teeth? Do you see any small holes or cracks? Is your pets breath so bad you can barely continue looking in the mouth? Run your finger along your dog's gums and teeth, do you get a bad reaction like their may be painful area? Go slowly, lots of praise and encouragement.

Your pets dental condition is very important to his/her overall health. It is important that he/she have a dental exam each year, maybe make it part of your pets yearly vaccination appointment. In between that time you may want to begin brushing your pets teeth. Go slow, use a proper pet toothpaste, human toothpaste isn't good for your pet. Pet tooth paste will not foam up like human tooth paste and you don't have to rinse your pets mouth. Use a tooth brush that is soft bristled (either one made for pets or a childs tooth brush). there are also finger brushes you can use or believe it or not...the corner of a good washcloth will work when nothing else will.

Go slow, put a little tooth paste on the tooh brush or the wash rag and let your pet lick it off. The next time lift your pets lip and put some of the tooth paste on his/her gum with the tooth brush or your wash cloth. Next time move the brush or the wash rag around on the tooth until you are getting most of that tooth covered. Go slow, make it fun, soon your pet will see that brushing isn't so bad and will soon allow you to brush without a problem.

Many treats are on the market for your pets dental health. Pick them wisely and ask your vet what are the best brands to look for.

The bottom line is this: When it comes to dental care it is simple...just what your own dentist has always told you: "Brush regularly and see your dentist once or twice a year." Get into the healthy habit of caring for your pets teeth. Start today, Ask your vet for an estimate to clean your pets teeth and to evaluate any mouth problems he/she may have.